Stretcher, bed, cot, and the like



May 24, 1938. 'r. ROBINSON STRETCHER, BED, COT, AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 30, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l H w ATTORNEY May 24, 1938. T. ROBINSON STRETCHER, BED, COT, AND THE LIKE I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 30, 1935 Patented May 24, W38

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This invention relates generally to devices or apparatus for supporting a person prone or in a reclining attitude and is more particularly directed to improvements in so-called stretchers or litters, as employedin the handling and care of the ill and maimed.

While my invention, as hereinafter will become manifest, is susceptible of a wide range of application, in the production of beds, cots and other body-supporting equipment, for the purposes of this disclosure, I have elected to show and describe it as practiced in the production and use of a stretcher or litter, as aforesaid. It will be understood, however, that this is merely illustrative and is not to be construed, in any sense, as a limitation of the scope of utility of my invention.

As is well known, various types of folclable and collapsible stretchers have been proposed to eliminate the disadvantages which are inherent to those of the conventional rigid designs, in the handling and transportation of patients and to reduce stowage space requirements, when the apparatus is not in use. However, none of these prior constructions possesses the requisite rigidity, when extended, nor other characteristics that are recognized as essential to the practical and efficient performance of the functions for which they are designed.

Therefore, the primary object of this invention is to provide a foldable or collapsible stretcher or litter of a simple and practical con-- struction, whereby the objectionable features or characteristics of prior contrivances of the kind will be entirely eliminated.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible cot, bed or similar body-supporting medium, which may be compactly folded or collapsed and yet will be sufiiciently rigid, when in use, to resist bending forces that are more or less concentrated at the jointures of collapsible devices in the manner of a non-collapsible construction.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a collapsible or foldable stretcher or litter, which, in addition to the advantages heretofore set forth, will simplify the handling of patients in transportation and facilitate their transfer from the litter or stretcher to another supporting medium, as a bed, operating table or the like, without discomfort.

A further object of my invention is to provide a knock-down or collapsible stretcher or litter, which may be folded or collapsed into a compact form, or extended for use, with despatch, in a minimum number of simple operations, the construction including a body-supporting element that is readily detachable for cleansing or replacement, for the maintenance of the apparatus in a. sanitary condition at all'times.

My invention also contemplates a stretcher or litter having the aforesaid characteristics and advantages which will readily lend itself to use in air and marine craft equipment, the apparatus including a separable protective covering for the patient reclining thereon, which will promote his safety in the transfer of the stretcher from one carrier to another, this covering being also adapted to function with the stretcher bed as a straight-jacket for violent cases.

Other objects and advantages flowing from the practicing of my invention will become manifest as the description proceeds and I would have it clearly understood that I reserve unto myself all rights to the full range of equivalents, both in structure and in use, to which I may be entitled under my invention, in its broadest aspect.

For the purposes of this disclosure, I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawings. My invention may take other forms, however, to meet requirements of production and use, as will beevident, within the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a stretcher conforming to my invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a longitudinal frame member, showing the manner in which it folds upon itself.

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of details to show the interconnection of the longitudinal member sections and the transverse bracing device.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view to illustrate the detachability of the bed portion of the apparatus.

Figures 7 and 8 are respectively a transverse section and a side elevation of the structure of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a view of the connecting pin and its retaining means.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of one end of the apparatus, illustrative of the collapsibility of the transverse frame members.

Figures 11 and 12 are detail views of the means employed for locking the transverse frame members in functioning position.

Figure 13 is a plan view of a part of the bodysupport-medium.

Figure 14 is a similar view of a fragment of the protective cover.

Figure 15 is a view in elevation of the cooperating parts of the longitudinal members and the cross-bracing element, showing a modified means of interconnecting them.

Figures 16 and 17, are respectively a transverse and longitudinal section of the structure of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the transverse bracing element, showing the pins thereof, in dotted lines, which are adapted to enter the cooperating orifices in the longitudinal frame members of my stretcher.

Figure 18A is a top plan view of fragments of the alined longitudinal frame members, at their hinge joint, showing dotted lines, the openings in which the pins of the bracing element are entered, to locate the base of the latter on said members, and

Figure 19 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a further modification of the bracing element, the base of which is slotted to span the longitudinal members and provided with holes, shown in dotted lines, for the entry of the pins for locking said element to the frame members.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which similar characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the several views, and more particularly to the structure of Figures 1 to 14, inclusive, the stretcher or litter comprises a frame composed of longitudinal and transverse members which may be made of wood, metal or other suitable material, preferably steel tubing of a rectangular cross-section, as herein shown.

Each of the longitudinals consists of two sections 1, la, hinged as at 8, the section I carrying a U-shaped fitting 3, embodying integral attaching portions 9a, which is adapted to embrace the contiguous end of the section Ia when the two sections are alined for connection by a rigid element, as the pin l0, locatable in the apertures II and I2 of the section Ia and fitting 9 respectively. Adjacent to one end of each iongitudinal member, I provide a transverse frame member l3, which is hinged thereto, as at ll, so as to fold thereagainst, in the manner indicated in dotted lines in Figure 10. The free end of each transverse member carries a latch IS, the nose of which is adapted to enter the staplelike retainer i6 supported from the longitudinal opposite to that to which the transverse member is hinged, as by the bracket lSa, the re-' tainer, as will be noted from Figures 11 and 12, protruding through a registering slot il in the transverse member. Obviously, the free end of the transverse member abuts upon the inner face of the longitudinal with which it is interlocked by said bolt, or by any other means,

whereby the requisite structural rigidity may be attained.

Protruding inwardly, along the lower edges of each of the longitudinal frame members are a series of eyelets or apertured elements, indicated at l8, arranged in longitudinally spaced relation for the reception of rods or the like l9 whereby the body-supporting medium, comprising the sections 20 and 20a, is removably suspended from said frame members. Each of said sections 20, 20a, is formed with a hem, or folded upon itself and stitched, as at 2|, for the entry auaveo of the rods l9 therein, when the hem or fold, out out at the eyelet stations, as at 22, is alined with the eyelets. Two rods are employed in conjunction with each longitudinal frame member, one being entered in the eyelets of each section thereof, from its outer end. (See Figures 3 and 6).

As will be observed, the body-supporting medium, which may be of canvas or any other suitable material, is divided along its median line, in the formation of the aforesaid two sections 20, 20a, the opposite edges of the latter being connectable by a so-called separable slide fastener 20!), the construction and mode of operation of which are well known, a flap 29 stitched to the section 20a, as at 30, concealingly overlying the fastener and protectingthe patient from contact therewith. To prevent sagging and transmit a part of the load to the adjacent transverse frame member, at the head end of the stretcher, each of the sections 20 20a is tied to said member through the medium of the straps 23 and 24 fixed to the respective sections and connectible to the frame member by snap fasteners, indicated at 25. Similar fastening devices 26, the male parts of which are formed by the appropriately shaped ends of the pins ID are employed for retaining the pins in their seats, the pins being preferably connected to the sections la. of the longitudinals by chains or other flexible means, as at 21, with the female elements of the fasteners of which the pin ends are components likewise connected on the opposite sides of said frame sections, as at 28.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the stretcher may be readily knocked down by actuating the fastener 20b to separate the bed sections 20 and 20a, which are disconnected from the transverse frame member at the head-end of the apparatus, to permit this member to be folded against the longitudinal to which it is hinged, when unlatched from the opposite one. Follow? ing the stowage of the remaining transverse member, in a similar operation, the sections of each of the longitudinals may be unpinned and folded upon themselves and the bed portion carried thereby, which folds therewith, wrapped therearound. By staggering the legs 3| relatively to the legs 32 on each longitudinal and locating them parallel to the vertical plane of the outer face thereof, the two sections I and in may be folded into virtual contact, as will be apparent from Figure 3. If desired, the legs 3|, 32, may include base-forming flanges and in lieu of fixing them to the frame, as in the present showing, they may be detachable therefrom. Likewise, the handles 33, 34, at the ends of each longitudinal may be permanently secured to these frame members, or integral therewith, or they may be removable. In the current embodiment, the handles are of woodformed to enter the tubular frame member in a so-called driving fit.

For setting up or assembling the stretcher, the heretofore described operations are performed in a reverse sequence, or approximately so, as may be found most convenient to the manipulator. When the stretcher is set up, if required, the protective covering 35, provided with a cutout 36 to fit about the neck of a reclining patient, may be applied and secured to the longitudinals by the snap fasteners 31, 38.

One of the chief objections to the use of prior types of foldable or collapsible stretches or litters is their lack of rigidity under .load, the

longitudinals bowing inwardly in the region of the connection of the sections thereof, either by hinging or a telescopic joint. In many instances, the inward or lateral movement permanently distorts the frame, rendering the stretcher unserviceable, or defeats the intended purpose of the apparatus, by making it difficult to perform the operations essential to collapsing it for stowage or other purposes. Apart from this, the resultant sagging of the body-supporting medium at the mid-section, or approximately so, does not promote the comfort of the patient. In fact, in some ailments or injuries, it may add a hazard to the case; Therefore, in order to overcome this fault of existing types of foldable devices and to make it possible to attain the advantages which flow from the use of collapsible apparatus, without sacrificing those which are inherent to a rigid construction, especially as regards the comfort of the patient, I have provided means independent of the transverse frame members 13, for resisting lateral distortion of the frame under load.

In the present embodiment, the lateral bracing is obtained by utilizing a preferably arcuateshaped member 39 which transversely spans or bridges the frame approximately at the mid-section thereof, or in the zone of separation of the sections of the longitudinals. The member 39 is bodily detachable from the frame members with which it must be associated in the performance of its intended function and, obviously, various means may be employed for the purpose. As shown in the structure of Figures 1 to 14, the pins m which interconnect the sections I, la of the longitudinals are also utilized to hold the bracing element 39 in position. To this end, the terminal portions of the element are undercut, as at 39a to provide an outwardly disposed shoulder 3% which is adapted to abut upon the top surface of the fitting 9, with the relatively angularly disposed portion 39a contacting with the inner wall of said fitting, as is clearly evident from Figures 4 and 5, the aforesaid pins ill passing through apertures in the dependent portion 39a of said element, which register with the pin seats in the fitting ll and longitudinal section Ia, when the latter are alined.

Since the load is carried between the frame members, it will be obvious that the tendency of the longitudinals to yield laterally, toward each other, will be positively resisted by the rigidity of the bracing element 39. In fact, with this element, greater security is afforded the patient in a collapsible apparatus, such as I have described, than in a stretcher of the conventional rigid frame type, wherein it is not unusual for the longitudinal members to snap or give way under excessive loads, especially after more or less extensive use. Obviously, the factor of safety is materially increased, beyond the potential critical point of the structure components at that point where the bracing element is located and beyond.

Another advantage, residing in the employment of a transverse element such as I have just described is its utility as a support for a canopy or other covering which may be draped over the stretcher, the patient having perfect freedom of movement beneath the covering, without disturbing or dislocating it from its functioning position. Again, in the transportation of a patient, as by slinging the stretcher from a ship to a pier or otherwise, the patient may grasp the arched bracing element, or its equivalent, and

have a feeling of greater security during the transfer operation.

In Figures 15, 16 and 17,- I have illustrated a modified means for interconnecting the sections of the longitudinals and the bracing element 39. In lieu of the pins it and the holes within which they are located in the three parts, I provide the bracing element with lugs or projections 30, ll, welded thereto, in appropriately spaced relation in a plane parallel to the shoulder 3%, which are adapted to be entered in complemental openings or holes in the fitting 9 and the longitudinal frame member section la. If desired, as in Figure 18 the respective ends of the bracing element 39 may be of a greater width, so that one lug llla will enter the frame section I while the other Ma will be seated in the frame member 7a. At will be apparent, the lugs 40, M and llla and did are positioned within their receiving openings by spreading or springing the longitudinals to admit of the seating of the shoulder of the bracing element upon the fittings 9, as shown and described, it being evident that the longitudinals will yield sufficiently for the purpose without detrimentaliy affecting their durability. Of course, where the pins iii are utilized in holding the arch in place, the spreading of the longitudinals is not necessary. An advantage of employing the pins It as a securing means for the arch resides in the possibility of bracing each of the longitudinals against lateral movement in either direction, instead of in one direction only, as in the construction shown. This may be readily accomplished by widening the terminal portions of the bracing element and instead of undercutting them, forming slots therein with open ends, as in Figure 19 Within which the fitting 9, embracing the section la of the longitudinal, will enter, when the head of the slot, corresponding to the shoulder 39b, is superposed upon the top surface of said fitting. Manifestly, the opposed dependent surfaces of the terminal portions of the bracing element, defining the slot, are apertured, as at am, for the reception of the pins to.

In collapsing and setting up the stretcher, the bracing element is removed or applied at that stage of the operation being performed which is most convenient to the one doing the work. onviously, where the pins ill are used, the sections of the longitudinals, if desired, may be temporarily connected by the partial insertion of the pins, to complete other assembly movements, and the bracing element then secured in place, or otherwise. In the use of the connecting means of Figures 15 to 17, a preferred sequence of assemblyand disasscmbly may be followed.

While the separability of the frame elements and of the sections constituting the body-sup-' porting medium of the stretcher is extremely advantageous in providing for stowage and handling, it also facilitates the transfer of a patient from the stretcher to a bed or operating table or the like. In fact, the transfer may be practically automatically effected, by letting the body-supporting medium of the stretcher, bearing the patient, contact with the table or bed surface to which he is to be transferred and then disconnecting the transverse frame members 03 and the bracing element from the longitudinals, so that following the subsequent separation of the sections 20, 20a of the body-supporting medium, after their straps 23, 2d, have been unfastened, the sections 20, 20a may be withdrawn laterally from beneath the patient in opposite movements.

In a precarious case, the body-supporting medium mayremain beneath the patient, in his transfer to another carrier, by withdrawing the rods I! from the eyelets l8 and the cooperating hem or fold of the sections 20, Ila. whereupon the frame, intact, or callapsed, may be lifted from the patient's vicinity. Manifestly, by cutting down the requirements for handling the patient, or eliminating handling entirely, as is possible by the use of my invention, the comfort of the patient is not only advanced, but the work of those in attendance upon him is appreciably lessened.

From the description of my invention, as embodied in a stretcher, it will be readily apparent that it may be practiced with equally advantageous results in the production of beds, cots and the like, or in special contrivances, as slings or similar emergency equipment. Also, as will be evident, the invention may vary in structural details to meet particular requirements of production and use. For example, in lieu of the archtype of bracing element 39*, one of any other preferred form may be utilized, or it may be other- .wise located, or two such elements may be employed. Similarly, the fitting 9 may take other forms and the body-supporting medium otherwise removably attached to the frame. All of such changes are within the spirit and scope of my invention, which is directed to the attainment of the objectives hereinbefore set forth, irrespective of the particular details of structure that are utilized in rendering it effective.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for supporting a person in a prone position, comprising a frame, including longitudinal and transverse frame members, each of the former being composed of two sections hinged for folding one upon the other, the transverse frame members being respectively hinged to opposite longitudinal members and detachably connectable at their free ends to the other longitudinals, means for interlocking said sections of the longitudinals in rigid axial alinement, flexible body-supporting means suspended within said frame and removably secured thereto and means detachably connectable to said longitudinal members by said interlocking means to restrain the lattir members against lateral distortion under 10a 2. An apparatus for supporting-a person in a prone position, including a frame comprising longitudinal members, each composed of two sections, hinged together, for folding one upon the other, a transverse member hinged to each iongitudinal member and detachably connectable to the opposite longitudinal member, a flexible body-supporting surface having a line of cleavage along its longitudinal axis, means for connecting thesections formed by such line of cleavage to the respective longitudinal frame members, for removal by a single continuing movement, flexible means connecting said sections to one of said transverse members, means for interlocking the sections of each longitudinal frame member when alined, means for supporting said frame from the floor or other surface, and a rigid device detachably connectable to the sections of each of said longitudinal members by said interlocking means in the zone of the mid-section of said body-supporting surface to span the latter transversely, and brace said longitudinals against inward lateral movement under load or stress.

3. A stretcher or litter having a collapsible frame, including longitudinal and transverse endmembers, each of the former being composed of two sections hinged to fold one upon the other, each transverse member being foldable upon a longitudinal member and detachably connectable to the opposite longitudinal member, a rigid device adapted to span said longitudinal members for fixture thereto in their hinged zones to brace said members against relative lateral movement, means common to said longitudinal members and said device for interlocking the sections of said longitudinal members when axially alined and securing said rigid device thereto in functioning position, a flexible body-supporting medium carried by said frame and means for interrupting the surface of said medium from end to end thereof, to permit of the withdrawal of the disconnected portions of said medium laterally from beneath a person superposed thereon.

THOMAS ROBINSON. 

